Spirituality and the memorialisation of the dead of the Durban concentration camps during the South African war (1899-1902) – a micro history
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Date
Authors
Wassermann, Johannes Michiel
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute for Afro-Hellenic Studies
Abstract
In this article, the spirituality and the memorialisation of the dead of the Durban Concentration
Camps during the South African War (1899-1902) are analysed diachronically. As a study in
micro-history, primary and secondary sources were used. Four clear memorialisation events
were recognised: external British Imperial memorisation by means of obelisks that spiritually
honoured Empire; Afrikaner Christian Nationalist memorisation that celebrated symbolic
victory over the British Empire; rededication of the memorials in the inclusive spirit of the ‘new’
South Africa; and the partial abandonment of physical memorisation for remembering and
honouring the dead in a virtual world. Each of these events offered its own seen and unseen
forms of spirituality and understanding.
Description
Keywords
South African War, Concentration camps, Spirituality, Memorialisation, Micro history
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Wassermann, J. 2021, 'Spirituality and the memorialisation of the dead of the Durban concentration camps during the South African war (1899-1902) – a micro history', Pharos Journal of Theology, vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 1-11, doi : 10.46222/pharosjot.102.118.